Should we trade DD? If so who replaces him?

[DON]

Could DD be considered a top flight 3rd line centre in the NHL?

Can you get a like centre for $3.5m?

If so, who is that centre?

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

Well, no way can we move DD for a superior C as a one-for-one swap. That makes zero sense for the other team. Package deals are fun to fantasize about, but involve too many variables to realistically project.

So:

Do we need to upgrade on DD? Yes. And not because he is not a legitimate top-6 C, but because he does produce at his normal clip in the playoffs. Otherwise put, he's a legit #2 C, but not in the playoffs.

How can we upgrade on DD? I have absolutely no idea. And neither does anyone else, since we have no real idea which players are available, and even if we did, we wouldn't know whether or not Desharnais could be part of a package that would attract an opposing GM.

I've been saying for a while that I, personally, have a hard time seeing which assets the Habs could move in a deal to get a DD replacement or any other impact FW. The commonest answer is Pleks, who for sure would command a significant return. But trading Pleks leaves a truly massive hole in our forward configuration that even a good prospect or young player is unlikely to be able to fill. We either don't have the Grade A prospects we need to lure other teams into parting with a serious C/FW, or else we don't want to move the Grade A prospects we do have. We have good D, but we don't have a surplus D-man who is elite enough to get back a top-6 FW (Emelin won't bring that return IMHO). Unless we want to go crazy and trade Beaulieu.

The obvious answer is Galchenyuk at C and DD on the wing - where he could conceivably be pushed out by a further upgrade, either from within or from outside the organization. However, unlike many fans, I don't confusing wishing that Galchenyuk could be effective at C with the reality of whether he actually is effective. If Galy can do it, then we have our DD replacement already. If he can't, then the same old problem remains in place.

(Underlying it all is the deeper problem that Eller cannot replace Plekanec. If L'il Baby Lars actually had it in him to do that, we'd be in a position to trade Pleks for a solid FW prospect. I'm pretty sure that was the plan. It's kaput).

[DON]

I think Eller could replace Plekanec., short of his offense which is worth a lot.

[habs rule]

I think Eller could replace Plekanec., short of his offense which is worth a lot.

I don't think your uncle mike or MB agree with you. Lars will be a solid defensive player. We have a lot of those. We need goals. Trade Pleks tell me where the goals come from.

[nihilz]

Well, no way can we move DD for a superior C as a one-for-one swap. That makes zero sense for the other team. Package deals are fun to fantasize about, but involve too many variables to realistically project.

So:

Do we need to upgrade on DD? Yes. And not because he is not a legitimate top-6 C, but because he does produce at his normal clip in the playoffs. Otherwise put, he's a legit #2 C, but not in the playoffs.

How can we upgrade on DD? I have absolutely no idea. And neither does anyone else, since we have no real idea which players are available, and even if we did, we wouldn't know whether or not Desharnais could be part of a package that would attract an opposing GM.

I've been saying for a while that I, personally, have a hard time seeing which assets the Habs could move in a deal to get a DD replacement or any other impact FW. The commonest answer is Pleks, who for sure would command a significant return. But trading Pleks leaves a truly massive hole in our forward configuration that even a good prospect or young player is unlikely to be able to fill. We either don't have the Grade A prospects we need to lure other teams into parting with a serious C/FW, or else we don't want to move the Grade A prospects we do have. We have good D, but we don't have a surplus D-man who is elite enough to get back a top-6 FW (Emelin won't bring that return IMHO). Unless we want to go crazy and trade Beaulieu.

The obvious answer is Galchenyuk at C and DD on the wing - where he could conceivably be pushed out by a further upgrade, either from within or from outside the organization. However, unlike many fans, I don't confusing wishing that Galchenyuk could be effective at C with the reality of whether he actually is effective. If Galy can do it, then we have our DD replacement already. If he can't, then the same old problem remains in place.

(Underlying it all is the deeper problem that Eller cannot replace Plekanec. If L'il Baby Lars actually had it in him to do that, we'd be in a position to trade Pleks for a solid FW prospect. I'm pretty sure that was the plan. It's kaput).

Exactly. Although, Im leaning to being aggressive at this point. Sh!t or get off the pot. Me wise grampa says back in the day. Get the piece you need to win. Chicago moved to get Vermette and win a cup. He's back in Arizona. Think they care about the assets they traded?(Rhetorical.) Bowman has gotten great returns for Sharp & Saad. (Imo Dano might turn out to be a more productive player than Saad.) Constant asset management is key. Bergy is from the school of Bowman. He's done a great job of "Bergevin'd"-ing opposing GMs. At this point, I wouldn't be opposed to him slightly overpaying without disrupting the core. But, the right player. Just get it done. Not at the trade deadline. The other issue is that.. Plek is a really really good center. If he we're playing on the second line with Hossa in Chicago.. he might steal some Selke votes from Toews!(Tongue in cheek[simmer down]) I believe MB will get it done once Gally & Tinordi are signed. As you said, for who and for what, nobody can predict. One thing is for sure. It'll be tough to improve on a Plekanec. Maybe even tougher to trust Eller. Time to put Larry in a do or die situation. I think he's a 40 pt guy and maybe more in the future. If he gets comfy & confident. Build the new bridge before you close the old one.

Im sure DD is tradeable. Probably not for the return we'd like. MB is a master at addition by subtraction. Having Plek 2 and Eller 3 is best case scenario. Although Im comfortable with DLR at 3C as well. He and Hudon had nice chemistry in Hamilton.

[GL10]

We would have to take back salary or another bad contract. Keep Pleks at #2,Eller at #3.No team has win a cup being as weak down the middle as us in at least 10 years.If Galch can make the transition then we're cup contenders,but that's asking alot of a 21 yo LW.Habs should have played him there all last year instead of worrying about reg season division title. We still would have easily made playoffs

Could DD be considered a top flight 3rd line centre in the NHL?

Can you get a like centre for $3.5m?

If so, who is that centre?

no and no.We have a top flight #2 and #3 center. #1 center will cost $7m ish

[GL10]

I think Eller could replace Plekanec., short of his offense which is worth a lot.

You don't trade the 2nd leading goal scorer on a weak offensive team who's also a better defensive player than Eller unless you can replace those goals. That said Pleks playoff especially vs TB was disgusting

[DON]

Never said would trade Plekanec, said Eller cant replace his offense, but could replace him on PK, faceoffs and checking part of game (Eller maybe even be better on the PP?).

[illWill]

If it were possible I would trade DD along with whatever picks and prospects CAR or SJ wants for Eric Staal or Joe Thornton/Patrick Marleau. Habs have a small window of contention for the next couple years and acquiring one of those players would really solidify the roster. All in

Pacioretty-Staal-Gallagher

Galchenyuk-Plekanec-Kassian

De La Rose-Eller-Smith Pelly

Bournival-Mitchell-Flynn

[Machine of Loving Grace]

If it were possible

For anyone to look at Bergevin trading away Bourque and Moen, players that were completely "valueless" in the eyes of the league due to their multi-year deals to think Desharnais has zero trade value is crazy to me. We got a guy from the Canucks who put up 36 points in his last 80 games for Brandon Prust and we think Marc Bergevin can't find a taker for David Desharnais?

There are a lot of potential lateral moves for our Brendan Morrison that can be made. I suggested Chris Higgins for him (fills a hole in the LW) but even that deal would probably mean the Habs scoring less that year unless someone steps up. That's the whole argument on DD in a nutshell. That he's taking the spot of someone who would better utilize his offensive starts and opportunities. But the only guy down the middle who I think could is Galchenyuk.

All of the threads feel like they are turning into DD discussions since one new poster decided to be contrarian in every thread, but I agreed with the poster on a point I've made before: DD and Eller are paid what we should be paying a single centre in the top six. Until we develop that centre, or trade for that centre, we're working with what we have.

[habs rule]

For anyone to look at Bergevin trading away Bourque and Moen, players that were completely "valueless" in the eyes of the league due to their multi-year deals to think Desharnais has zero trade value is crazy to me. We got a guy from the Canucks who put up 36 points in his last 80 games for Brandon Prust and we think Marc Bergevin can't find a taker for David Desharnais?

There are a lot of potential lateral moves for our Brendan Morrison that can be made. I suggested Chris Higgins for him (fills a hole in the LW) but even that deal would probably mean the Habs scoring less that year unless someone steps up. That's the whole argument on DD in a nutshell. That he's taking the spot of someone who would better utilize his offensive starts and opportunities. But the only guy down the middle who I think could is Galchenyuk.

All of the threads feel like they are turning into DD discussions since one new poster decided to be contrarian in every thread, but I agreed with the poster on a point I've made before: DD and Eller are paid what we should be paying a single centre in the top six. Until we develop that centre, or trade for that centre, we're working with what we have.

What you say is true. We would like to upgrade DD but we have to find a trade partner, just saying trade him for what ever is irresponsible. He is not garbage, he has value and MB will get it done. (I hope)

[DON]

Got a feeling trading DD is quite low on Bergevin's to do list. If finds a centre, would seem easy to move him to the wing.

[habs rule]

Got a feeling trading DD is quite low on Bergevin's to do list. If finds a centre, would seem easy to move him to the wing.

Well I certainly don't think he is our biggest problem, that is for sure.

[BlueKross]

I am afraid you are stuck with DD. I am of the opinion that he is worth more to the Canadiens than anyone else. No one is looking for a 5'5" mediocre centerman. I don't think you will ever resolve whether he is even tradeable unless Sam Pollack's ghost graces your door. David has produced at every level despite the odds but i think he has finally hit the wall. Hopefully he is given a reduced role and not defaulted into top production scenarios.

[ICEWATER77]

I like the looks of that roster illwill..but, like you said if it were possible. I wouldn't move Scherbak or McCarron. We'd have to move Emelin as well as DD to make room for Staal's fat contract. We may be stuck with DD

[Machine of Loving Grace]

Fun Fact: Only 38 centres in the NHL last year scored more than David Desharnais' 48 points.

More Fun Facts: Despite Habs fans acting like we scored the least amount of goals in NHL history last year (2.61 GPG), 10 teams scored less than us and 9 teams only scored at a 0.17 GPG pace better than us including Anaheim (2.78), Chicago (2.68) and Pittsburgh (2.65). Montreal was 19th in 5 on 5 goals at 148. The difference between 19th and 10th? 10 goals. That's it. Trust me when I say the whole league had trouble scoring for the past few seasons. Focus less on the placement of Montreal in these categories and more on the actual numbers in relation to other teams.

Why the Fun Facts? If you think Desharnais has no value in a scoring starved league after years of experience in the top six and regularly putting up as much points as guys like Ryan Kesler, you're silly to think he has no value. Especially when just last year, Desharnais was being rumoured as the exchange for David Perron (who cost the Penguins a first round pick). But because he has no value in the eyes of many Habs fans, he then has no value on the trade market.

[Meller93]

Emelin + DD for Staal?

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

I agree that Desharnais has some value. However, his trade value may be lower than his statistics would suggest because of the perception that he is a product of Pacioretty, and can't produce without MaxPac. Given that Glenn Healy argued this during a playoff telecast, it has to be a widespread belief around the league. In terms of maximizing his trade value, then, splitting up DD and MaxPac could be the best thing.

[Machine of Loving Grace]

I agree that Desharnais has some value. However, his trade value may be lower than his statistics would suggest because of the perception that he is a product of Pacioretty, and can't produce without MaxPac. Given that Glenn Healy argued this during a playoff telecast, it has to be a widespread belief around the league. In terms of maximizing his trade value, then, splitting up DD and MaxPac could be the best thing.

I think Therrien prefers Plekanec with Pacioretty at this point, looking at the past several games. The "product of" thing is why I call him our Brendan Morrison, probably the most famously perceived "product of" player in the past 20 years.

[Habsfan]

Although I don't believe DD is a major problem for the Habs, I would trade him. Move Galchenyuk to center(and leave him there for the whole year). If you can get a decent forward/winger for DD, then do the deal. Like MoLG mentionned, if Bergevin was able to find takers for Moen and especially Bourque, I'm pretty sure he can get something decent in return for DD.

[ICEWATER77]

I don't think DD is garbage..at all. I also don't think he has 1-2C value either. He's a 3LW in my book. And when you look at illWill's roster up above, I wouldn't change any of those third liners. So yeah, I would move DD..possibly for a 2nd or 3rd pk

[DON]

Again, you are going to simply remove 50points of offense...possibly for a draft pick? Does that really make any sense on a goal-challenged team?

Now if combine DD & Gilbert (or #74) for a forward with some offense, that might be better?

[illWill]

Just noticed i forgot Weise in my lineup oops. I just think the time is now to go for it all. MB is a meticulous and calculated gm who doesn't appear to be interested in mortgaging the future though. His job is to keep the Habs relevant and in contention for as long as possible and so far he is doing well. Contrast that with MT who's job it is to win every game played now and not worry about the future, and he is also doing a great job. There are only a couple years left of cheap Pacioretty and Price, and before Markov hangs them up. If there was ever a time to disregard the future and win, now is the time.

[DON]

But Hawks are going pay 2 players a combined $21m/yr this year and will still dress a darn good team next year. So not quite time to hit panic button, but the Glen Sather 'trade everything but kitchen sink' is always one way to go for sure. And although he couldn't win a cup in 15 year at healm of Rangers doing that, he still has a competitive team (but am curious to see how trading his last 5 first round picks will affect team down the road?).

[ICEWATER77]

That's why Ol' Glen is abandoning the ship